The Penn State men’s hockey team is preparing for a noteworthy event this December as they gear up to participate in the Capital Hockey Classic in Washington, D.C. The Nittany Lions are set to face Army in a doubleheader at Capital One Arena, just days before the annual Army-Navy football game at Commanders Field on Dec. 14.
Set for Dec. 12, the Capital Hockey Classic will commence with a match between the Army and Navy club teams, followed by a Division I game between Penn State and Army. In the previous season, Penn State achieved a thrilling comeback victory against Army with a final score of 7-6 at the Pegula Ice Arena.
Guy Gadowsky, the head coach of the Penn State men’s hockey team, has expressed his enthusiasm about participating in the inaugural Capital Hockey Classic, emphasizing the honour it brings to the team. He also highlighted the significance of adding a hockey component to the special weekend of the Army-Navy football game. Gadowsky is excited to extend the reach of their Hockey Valley community to the DMV area, which boasts a large alumni base.
The event is being presented by Monumental Sports & Entertainment, the owner of the Washington Capitals and Capital One Arena, which has previously hosted the 2009 NCAA Frozen Four.
Jim Van Stone, President of Business Operations and Chief Commercial Officer of MSE, has expressed his delight in bringing college hockey back to Capital One Arena. He emphasized the privilege of hosting the college hockey showcase ahead of the iconic Army-Navy football game, providing fans the opportunity to witness the storied rivalry on the ice and then see two top Division I teams face off against each other.
Penn State men’s hockey, entering its 13th season as a varsity sport, has experienced various successes, including winning two Big Ten titles and qualifying for the NCAA Tournament three times. As they prepare for the upcoming season, the team recently announced season-ticket information for the 2024-25 season, which commences in October. Fans can visit the Capital One Arena website for game times and tickets for the Capital Hockey Classic.
In other Penn State news, the athletics program recently received a generous $250,000 donation for renovations, while 14 Penn State athletes are set to compete for Team USA at the 2024 Summer Olympics. Additionally, former Penn State receiver Cam Sullivan-Brown has been cast on Big Brother Season 26.
For more Penn State news, opinion, and perspective, all eyes are on AllPennState, the go-to source for Penn State updates on the SI.com network. Publisher Mark Wogenrich, a seasoned expert who has covered Penn State for over 20 years, provides in-depth coverage of the team’s journey, including three coaching staffs, three Big Ten titles, and a myriad of fascinating stories. Be sure to follow him on Twitter @MarkWogenrich for all the latest updates.